Stories about Feature from December, 2016
Syrian Women Thank Russian Soldiers in New Sexy Calendar Funded by the Kremlin
Thanks to Kremlin grants, there's now a glossy calendar featuring a dozen beautiful Syrian women, posing beside flirty captions that praise Moscow’s armed intervention in the Middle East.
#FreeMaxenceMelo: Authorities Charge Tanzanian Whistleblowing Website Owner Under Cybercrimes Law
"Mentioning 'Tanzania' and 'democracy' in the same sentence amounts to subjecting the term 'democracy' to ridicule."
Taiwanese Wonder If They're Just a Chip for Donald Trump in Negotiating With China
"What Trump is doing now might be a maneuver...He tries to make China nervous by befriending Taiwan, and then he can get a better deal with China."
When You’re Black and Foreign in Brazil: An African Medical Student Shares His Story
In 2016, while still halfway through his undergraduate degree in medicine at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Fleury Johnson decided to start blogging about his life in Brazil.
Belarus Moves to Block Tor in Fight Against Online Anonymity
Belarus is ramping up efforts to crack down on Tor. But does Minsk actually have the ability to block the anonymity network?
Syrian Media Activist: ‘It Is Terrible and Scary, Aleppo Has Become a Horror City’
Gnaid, an activist with the Aleppo Media Center, and his wife recently welcomed their second child, a baby girl, in the midst of a deadly siege on their city.
These Short Films by Young Cambodian Men Aim to Stop Sexual Harassment
Why stop sexual harassment? Young amateur filmmakers from Cambodia explored this question to encourage the public -- especially men -- to understand the impact of sexual harassment.
Military Trials of Journalists Cast Light on the Taboo of Criticizing the Army in Tunisia
Laws allowing military courts to handle cases involving citizens, including journalists and bloggers, continue to hold back Tunisia's democratic reforms.
Accessible Japan: Information About Traveling in Japan With a Disability
The site features gorgeous photos, as well as accessibility reviews of many of Japan's most famous landmarks.
After a Wild Campaign, Macedonia Holds Important Elections This Sunday
Very often, upcoming elections in polarized societies are said to be “historic” events. Hugely important to the future of the country's political system, Macedonia's elections this Sunday certainly feel historic.
Now That's Epic: Kyrgyz Woman Singer Remakes Poem Traditionally Sung By Men
"The whole might of the Kyrgyz Nomadic Spirit, the intimate, magical fluid of our mountainous country."
The Bengali New Year’s Celebration of Democracy and Diversity Is Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage
"As long as Bangladesh lives, there will be this type of New Year's celebration...This is the image of a secular Bangladesh.
Russian Blogger Launches Campaign to Annul Anti-Extremism Law He Was Convicted of Violating
Blogger Anton Nossik wants to annul Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code, a catch-all statute that prohibits "ctions aimed at the incitement of hatred or enmity."
A Major Leak Exposes How Chinese Loan Sharks Make Female Debtors Take Nude Selfies
Taking nude photos in exchange for a loan may seem bizarre, but that's exactly what's happening in China. A major online leak has cracked the scheme wide open.
Chapecoense Club Tragedy Brings Back Memories of Plane Crash with Peruvian Football Team, Alianza Lima
In the wake of the plane crash involving members of the Brazilian football club Chapecoense, Peruvian fans remember what happened to Alianza Lima football club in December 1987.
Gambia Shocks the World With Peaceful Presidential Polls, Opposition Wins
The presidential election results and consequent concession of Yahya Jammeh came as a pleasant surprise to many Gambians -- and the rest of the world.
Caribbean Women Take Their Power Back by Sharing Stories of Sexual Abuse Via the #LifeinLeggings Hashtag
"#LifeinLeggings is the story of women AND girl children [...] A large number of the stories are of childhood events. [...] Measure the country's level of civilization against that."
Polls Open Amid Communications Blackout in The Gambia
The Gambia has shut off all external communications as citizens cast their votes in the country's presidential elections, by blocking both the internet and international phone calls.
